Politics in Greece is said to permeate practically every sector, and as such, archaeology is no exception. The latest political “tit-for-tat” comes after criticism by the leftist “Avgi” newspaper — which is affiliated with ruling SYRIZA party — over excavations at the Amphipolis site of northern Greece.

The head of on-site excavations at the site, Katerina Peristeri, flatly dismissed the paper’s report citing research disputing the dating of the finds and defended her team’s results and assessments.

“The date and finds will vindicate me. What I can assure you is the fact that the excavation was conducted in the best possible manner. Do you consider the fact that it (excavation) will be honored next October in Italy with the International archaeological discovery prize chance?” she asked in an interview with the Athens daily “Kathimerini”.

Asked about the presence of then PM Antonis Samaras as the Kasta tumulus and his statement that the Macedonian land “hides suprises”, she responded that a prime minister, who had already as culture minister visited the site, cannot cause harm by visiting an archaeological monument. “I wish the current prime minister showed the same interest to visit Amphipolis in order to form his own opinion,” she said.